The code was developed by an Expert Group in cooperation with the National Bureau for Drug Prevention, whose goal was to develop a set of rules governing the behaviour of therapists, as well as the rules governing the operations of the Ethics Committee.
The code of ethics and professional rules of the Ethics Committee were implemented by Regulation 8/2007 of the Director of the National Bureau for Drug Prevention of 17th September 2007. The code is not a universally binding law, but once a therapist consents to putting his or her name on the list of professionals who abide the Code, he or she is obliged to follow its rules and standards. It also means that in the case of a complaint, the therapist voluntarily consents to the Ethics Committee taking measures in order to clarify the complaint. The responsibility of the Ethics Committee is not only to protect the patients, but also to protect the therapists from unjustified accusations and libel actions.
The Ethics Committee was established by Regulation 5/2008 of the Director of the National Bureau for Drug Prevention of 1st April 2008.
The members of the Committee are:
- Jacek Sękiewicz - Chairman
- Janusz Strzelecki - Secretary
- Karina Chmielewska-Steinbarth
- Krzysztof Czekaj
- Jolanta Koczurowska
- Małgorzata Kowalcze
- Małgorzata Polecińska
- Katarzyna Puławska-Popielarz
Promoting the Code of Ethics appears to be a significant issue from the point of view of quality of service. Reliable and professional assistance to individuals with drug issues testifies to the therapists’ skills, but also translates into how society perceives the system of help to drug addicts as a whole. Patients’ interests should be of the utmost priority for every therapist.
